'employ' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'emploier', where 'en-' meant 'in' and 'ploier' meant 'to fold or bend'.

'emploier' transformed into the Middle English word 'employen', and eventually became the modern English word 'employ'.

Initially, it meant 'to fold or bend something into use', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to hire or make use of'.